You could look at it and say Bud took on the extreme beer snob stereotype, which does lend itself to easy ridicule. But more than anything, the ad shows craft beer poses a real threat, enough so that Budweiser thinks it might be able to win over (or back) those who somehow might be persuaded that buying a mass-produced light lager is actually showing an independent streak against the elite class.

This morning we e-mailed Paul Gatza with the Boulder-based Brewers Association, the trade group for independent craft brewers, and this is what he had to say about Bud’s move:

“If a brewer chooses to alienate a group of beer drinkers that would be potential customers, that company is welcome to do that. It is ironic that the beer style the flash on the screen, is one that Elysian makes, who Anheuser-Busch just announced the purchase of 9 days before. Some in social media commented that the message they got out of the ad aiming at the way craft beer drinkers appreciate their beer worked in reverse to the effect of ‘Bud beer drinkers don’t care about taste.'”

“The more buyouts that occur, the less independent this industry becomes,” O’Connell wrote. “This means that we have fewer voices to stand up for legislation that benefits small independent business owners like preventing the sale of full strength beer in grocery and convenience stores in Colorado. This issue could threaten the livelihood of many small brewers and liquor store owners and will certainly lead to fewer craft choices for Colorado consumers. Would AB object to this legislation? I think not.”

Here, a roundup of some of the reaction in the Colorado craft beer world — including, well, the inevitable.

Our new iPad app serves as a guide to metro Denver’s bountiful breweries, beer bars and bottle shops, the holy trinity of craft beer enjoyment for followers and fans. Download the app for iPad .
Next time you head for a beer in Boulder, don’t forget your friend, Beers of Boulder and Boulder County, an iPad app from the Daily Camera. Download the app for iPad .

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In Colorado, our pint glasses overflow with excellent beer. New breweries, new batches, festivals every other week. How lucky are we? First Drafts is The Denver Post's beer blog aimed at helping you keep tabs on the state's ever-expanding craft beer culture. We offer a mash of news, event coverage, homegrown stories, tasting notes and tips to help you imbibe. Expert drinker or homebrewer? Let us know what you're loving about Colorado's beer scene. Not sure exactly what a firkin is? No worries, let us be your guide. Go ahead. Belly up and drink it in!